Thursday, January 05, 2006

Vin-sanity!


On Wednesday night at the Rose Bowl there were 3 Heisman finalists on the field, 2 Heisman winners, 2 undefeated teams with storied pasts, and 1 dominating performance. Texas quarterback Vince Young looked like a man playing with boys on Wednesday night. On fire? Please. On fire doesn't do his performance justice. Young started the night going 10/10 on passing attempts to finish 30/40 for 267 yards through the air. That alone is not a bad ball game, no interceptions, 75% passing, I'll take that on my team anyday.

But when Texas needed a big play, Vin-sanity was there. And much to USC's dismay, so were his legs. With three second half rushing touchdowns and a 10.5 yard per carry average for 200 yards, Young was all the Longhorns would need for their first national title in 35 years.

Young was cool under pressure all night long. Dancing on the sidelines throughout the game, he kept his team loose. And when they were down, and needed a play, he always seemed to call the right number, his own. Down a point in the third quarter, Young stiff-armed USC safety Josh Pinkard to the ground en route to a 14 yard touchdown scamper to regain the lead.

When Texas finally got the ball back in the fourth quarter, the burnt orange section in the stands of Pasadena was as quiet as a mouse. And why not? They were down 38-26 and USC had scored on 5 consecutive possessions. It seemed that the Heisman voters were right, and Reggie Bush would indeed get his three-peat. Enter Vince Young.

Winners always want the ball in their hands when the game is on the line. And whether it was his call, or coach Mack Brown's, #10 made sure the ball stayed where it was safe, gripped firmly in his right hand. Looking to throw Young couldn't find anything he liked, except for a huge running lane to the end zone with his name on it. A pump fake and 17 yards later, and suddenly Texas was only down 38-33.

Call it cocky, call it swagger, but in the end, there was only one thing that mattered about USC's 4th and 1 attempt, it was short. Time again, for #10 to shine. And think about the finish. Fourth and 5 on the 8 yard line, 0:26 seconds left, down 5 points, and oh yeah, the national title on the line. For Mack Brown and the rest of the Longhorns, In Vince We Trust pretty much sums up the game. According to Young after the game, he took his three reads on that 4th and 5, and immediately he knew, it was all on him. His third rushing touchdown of the night capped off a dominating performance, and sealed Texas' fourth national title.

The Heisman voters were right. Reggie Bush was the most outstanding player in college football this year. Lucky for him, bowl season doesn't count in the voting. Vince left New York clearly dejected by the margin by which he lost the Heisman to Bush. But on January 4th, #10 was twice as nice as #5 in more ways than one.